Women representatives from various sectors and organizations are all set to gather in Davao City at the National Women’s Summit on Friday. The summit hopes to gather women’s aspirations for change and put together a women’s platform for the incoming Duterte administration.

“We are gathering women from all walks of life, from all over the country with high hopes of working with President-elect Rodrigo Duterte for much needed reforms in policy that will bring significant change in the lives of Filipino women and our families,” said GABRIELA Women’s Alliance Secretary General Joms Salvador.

Salvador explained discussions and workshops during the summit will revolve around the key women’s demands each represented by letters in the word “CHANGE” which stands for (C) Comprehensive social services; (H) human rights, peace and social justice; (A) Anti-discrimination and violence against women (N) National sovereignty; (G) Genuine land reform and national industrialization and; (E) Environmental protection.

Former Gabriela Representative and Makabayan coalition co-chairperson Liza Maza said President-elect Duterte has issued several statements that signify the changes that his administration is set to implement. Maza hopes for the next administration to make true its promise of pursuing an independent foreign policy.

Also among statements made by the Duterte administration on key reforms in governance that are gaining much support from women include that of eliminating contractual employment and the resumption of peace negotiations.

“These are key policy pronouncements that women certainly look forward to as these will help pave the way for the significant changes that Filipino women want. After six years of neglect and poverty, low wages, unemployment and violence women are hungry for change. We are putting forward our platform for change for the incoming administration to seriously look into and implement,” said Salvador.

Ms. Sharon Cabusao, recently released political detainee joined the panel said the impending release of all political prisoners sets to build much confidence between the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front and brings the peace negotiations back to life after it was shelved under the Aquino administration.

Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Emmi De Jesus said the incoming administration is indeed in the best position to implement radical changes in governance in contrast to the miserable failures of the Aquino regime. “Matapos ang anim na taon ng palpak at korap na pamumuno ni Aquino na nagdala ng ibayong hirap at gutom sa kababaihan, binibigyan ngayon si Presidente Duterte ng napakagandang pagkakataon bilang bagong lider ng bansa na ipatupad ang mga pagbabago sa polisiya at patakaran na pagbibigay ng alwan sa buhay ng mamamayan. People want change, they are hopeful that indeed change is coming. Women are ready not just to work with the Duterte administration, but more importantly to fiscalize, remain vigilant and militant for the much-needed change will benefit the majority of Filipino women.” #